All Special Olympics BC Oceanside athletes were winners as a result of this year’s Charity Golf Tournament that was recently held at Pheasant Glen Golf Course in Qualicum Beach.
Thanks to the generous support of the community, who participated as golfers and donors, the tournament was a huge success, raising more money than ever before.
SOBC Oceanside will now be able to completely fund all of its sports programs this year, effectively eliminating cost barriers for all of our athletes.
One hundred per cent of funds raised at the tournament – the only fundraising event of the year – will once again support the 50 athletes in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area. This includes the communities of Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Errington, Coombs, Qualicum Beach, Bowser and Deep Bay from their participation in all sports, in competitions (travel, uniforms, accommodation) to opportunities to learn about being Athlete Leaders and community ambassadors.
Athletes greeted golfers as they registered, providing information about their programs, sharing photos of their sports and educating participants on what they are learning about being healthy athletes. They talked about their successes, including showing their medals from provincial games. They expressed their gratitude to all for participating in the fundraiser golf that saw a full house of around 120 golfers braving the wet weather for the cause. Many joined the dinner and also contributed generously to the fundraising event at the silent and live auctions, the 50-50, the putting contest and the purchase of our mystery balloons.
A highlight of the evening was the opportunity to showcase the athletes and programs via a Powerpoint presentation. Shayne Blandin, who participates in all of the 10 individual and team sports offered in Oceanside, inspired the audience as she described how being a part of Special Olympics has changed her life.
“When I started in Special Olympics I was so shy,” she said. “Special Olympics helped me to gain confidence to reach for more. I have had the opportunity to go to both summer and winter provincial games and to participate in BC Summer Games. I love being part of Special Olympics. I get to be with my friends, I love to compete and I like being active and healthy. It gives me opportunities to build my self-confidence, to develop my personal and athletic skills, to travel, to learn new sports, to make new friends and to support other athletes.”
To learn more about SOBC Oceanside, visit https://www.specialolympics.ca/british-columbia/communities/oceanside or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SOBCOceanside/
If anyone would like to get involve as a coach or volunteer, please contact us at sobcoceanside@gmail.com or call our program co-ordinator, Barbara McLeod at 250-954-7137. They are currently looking for volunteers for basketball and bowling.
— NEWS Staff, submitted